Handbag or other unit with interchangeable tethered-compartments that attach to the inside of the handbag or other unit  with a magnetic or other mechanism for ease of acess

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a unit specifically, a handbag with an interchangeable compartment system that can be customized based on the individual users&#39; needs. The compartments in this invention are interchangeable, can be used in other handbag styles in the present invention, and are tethered to a mechanism which affixes to the body of the handbag for easy retrieval  5.  Thus, the handbag unit(s), which is the subject of this invention, is hollow  1,  with the exception of wall dividers  2,  does not contain permanent built-in compartments as in the commonly used handbags under current inventions. The handbag in this invention instead contains transportable compartments  3,4,5,6,12,13,14  of various types, shapes and sizes, which can be individually selected by the user to suit the specific needs for their articles. These compartments, which are referred to herein as “tethered-compartment(s)” can be independent of the handbag and can be interchangeable with other handbags under this invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-Provisional Application which claims priority to U.S. Provisional application No. 62/772,436 filed on Nov. 28, 2018, titled “Unit Which Holds Objects with a Magnetic or Other Mechanism for Easy Access” which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 6,047,752 April 2000 Southwick . . . 150/117 6,283,183B1 September 2001 Cooper . . . 150/112 6,446,688B1 September 2002 Sutton . . . 150/105 6,796,344B2 September 2004 Chen . . . 150/113 6,971,424B1 December 2005 Angevine . . . 150/104 7,624,777B2 December 2009 Paller . . . 150/112 7,900,757B2 March 2011 Sisitsky . . . 150/116 8,028,730B2 October 2011 Whiting . . . 150/104 8,156,974B2 April 2012 Pace et al . . . 150/105 8,225,829B2 July 2012 Melamed . . . 150/113

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding of the invention, the related units, and the objects as described in the present invention, the following is detailed description and reference to the accompanying drawings of the present invention, wherein

FIG. 1 Illustrates a perspective view of the handbag in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention; The illustration is a view of the inside of the handbag which contains the removable tethered-compartment as illustrated in FIG. 3 and described below.

FIG. 2 depicts examples of the type of mechanisms that can be used in conjunction with the tethered-compartments to temporarily affix securely to the parameter of the handbag on the inner dividing wall.

FIG. 2.1 is a view of a snap-latch 8 method of attaching the tethered-compartment.

FIG. 2.2 is a view of a hook 9 method of attaching the tethered-compartment.

FIG. 2.3 is a view of a magnet 10 method of attaching the tethered-compartment.

FIG. 2.4 is a view of a twist knob 11 method of attaching the tethered compartment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stand-alone tethered-compartments as described in the present invention. The tethered-compartments can be of various styles and sizes 12, 13, 14 to compliment the handbag and needs of the user. The compartments may have a divider 15, a front pocket 18, and a back pocket 16, as an example.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding rack designed to hold the tethered-compartments when not in us. The holding rack will have the same mechanism as the tethered compartments and the handbag to secure the holding compartments to the holding rack. The mechanism to secure the tethered-compartments to the holding rack and or handbag can be a magnetic type FIG. 2.3, a pressure snap mechanism, such as illustrated at FIG. 2.1, or a hook type mechanism FIG. 2.2, or twist knob, as an example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Handbags have been used to carry personal items by individuals for decades. The handbag is considered by many users as a necessity to carry articles needed while performing other daily activities away from the household. A handbag is used to contain and carry a variety of articles, including cell phones, credit cards, photographs, cash, glasses, checkbook, wallet, loose change, keys, make-up, and other items. To accommodate the users' needs to organize these various items, handbag manufacturers have developed handbags which include permanently attached compartments. For example, the common currently used handbag invention has permanent compartments and or pockets to place the articles inside the handbag. The compartments and or pockets of the current handbag inventions may not always be suited for the needs of the user due to the need for the use to place different articles in the handbag depending on the needs based on the user's activities for that day or event. As a result, the configuration of the items the user places in a handbag can vary from day-to-day and the compartments and or the pockets permanently embodied in the current handbag invention, may not be able to adequately store the changed articles. The user is then unable to place articles in the compartments of the handbag and these items often become entangled at the bottom of the handbag and or compartment making it difficult for the user to retrieve a particular item.

Handbags are available in many styles and colors to satisfy the users fashion and or artistic preference and to compliment a particular outfit and or occasion. Most handbag users own several handbags frequently changing from one to another to match the style with the outfit, occasion, or a color of a particular dress or article of apparel. As a result, handbag users have to remove the needed contents from one handbag and then transfer the contents to another. This can be time consuming as many items have been simply placed loosely within the handbag and it is necessary to sort through the items in the handbag and decide which items are necessary to be transferred to another handbag. Additionally, it is often time consuming to relocate the necessary articles to another handbag as the articles may not be compatible with the compartment configuration within another handbag.

Locating items in the current commonly used handbags, and particularly the more spacious handbags containing a large variety of loose articles such as keys, cell phones, make-up, coin purses, wallets, pencils, pens and the like, is often difficult and time consuming to locate these articles when needed. Also, a lot of the time the articles are all scattered at the bottom of a handbag as the compartments incorporated within the handbag cannot accommodate the articles due to the uniqueness of the individual's needs and the article shapes and sizes.

The handbag and related interchangeable compartments and mechanisms, which are the subject of this invention, eliminate the need for permanent compartments in a handbag and instead have transportable tethered compartments of various types, shapes and sizes, which can be individually selected by the user to suit the specific needs for the user's articles. These compartments, which are referred to herein as “tethered-compartment(s)” can be independent of the handbag and can be interchangeable with other handbags providing the mechanism of this invention.

Description of the Prior Art

In prior years, various attempts have been made to solve some of the problems summarized herein, but the cited prior patents have not come close to solving them all. The present invention solves them all and more. In the past, the typical means to transport such items has been by the use of a conventional purse-type bag. These bags generally have at least one large compartment in which the user's personal items are placed. The use of only a single compartment requires the user to search through the aggregate mass of personal items in order to find the needed item.

Locating items in the past commonly used handbags, and particularly the more spacious handbags containing a large variety of loose articles such as keys, cell phones, make-up, coin purses, wallets, pencils, pens and the like, is often difficult and time consuming to locate these articles when needed. Also, a lot of the time the articles are all scattered at the bottom of a handbag as the compartments incorporated within the handbag cannot accommodate the articles due to the uniqueness of the individual's needs and the article shapes and sizes. The current patents, as detailed below, do not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and do not address the issues of the user nor do any contain the objects of present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,974B2, Susan Pace claims an interchangeable handbag system includes a stand-alone foundation handbag having an inner storage accommodating surface and an outer decorative surface. The foundation handbag may have regions, such as a hollow interior, front panel, a rear panel and a bottom panel . . . Alternatively, the foundation handbag may be simple flexible open-top container with a closed bottom. The handbag system includes reversible and non-reversable slip covers that fit over the foundation in a nested arrangement. The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,752, This patent's claim is a handbag system having a substantially rectangular body with an open middle compartment. Within the middle compartment are a plurality of sub-compartments sized for holding various personal safety items such as mace, a wireless phone and a pager. A closure flap is provided for partially covering the middle compartment.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,183B1, this patent's claim is a handbag equipped with a zipper for opening a section of the bag located between the front and interior walls thereof. When this section of the bag is unzipped, the faces of said front and interior walls are exposed and permit a user to obtain various handbag items from pockets attached to said faces. The bag may be carried in the hand or over the shoulder as a result of a loop and ring arrangement which are connected by an adjustable strap and buckle arrangement. Other sections of the bag contain loop and ring arrangements for rapidly obtaining keys, a pager, a cosmetic pouch or the like. By virtue of the present invention, all contents of the inventive bag can be easily and quickly accessed by a user with one easy motion, while the bag is on or off his shoulder, without placing the bag on a flat surface.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,688B1, this patent's claim is a carry bag with a pouch insert and magnetic fasteners is provided. The carry bag comprises a three-dimensional, generally rectangular pouch having a zipper or drawstring closure in the top face and a detachable carrying strap. One portion of each magnetic fastener is secured to each end face of the front and back faces of the pouch, and an opposite portion of each magnetic fastener is secured to the carrying strap.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,344B2, this patent's claim handbag is disclosed which comprises an enclosure having opposed front and rear walls, opposed sidewalls, a bottom wall and side walls defining a storage space. A closure panel is associated with at least one of the walls and arranged for pivotal movement toward and away from the at least one wall so as to define a compartment therebetween. At least one first magnetically attractive device is associated with the at least one wall. A functional device such as a wallet, change purse or the like, is arranged for separable attachment within the compartment, the functional device having associated therewith at least one second magnetically attractive device for removably attaching the functional device within the compartment by positioning the first and second magnetically attractive devices in opposed relation so as to develop mutual magnetic attractive force between said at least one first and second magnetically attractive devices. A method of separately attaching a functional device such as a wallet to a handbag is also disclosed.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,424B1, this patent's claim is a handbag that has a frame and an insert. The frame comprises a substantially rigid bottom panel, connected to a front section, a back section and two side sections. Attached to either the front/back sections or the side sections is at least one handle for carrying the bag. There is at least one insert that is removably connected to the frame, to create a complete handbag. The insert is visible through the front and back sections. The insert is connected to the frame via any suitable means, such as Velcro, magnetic snaps or any combination of fasteners. The insert has an openable top section to receive the contents of the handbag. Each frame preferably has several different inserts, so that the appearance of the handbag can be changed by simply changing the insert.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,777B2, this patent's claim is for a bag for use in sorting items is provided. The bag includes a body that at least partially defines an upper compartment and a top opening to allow access to the upper compartment. A lower compartment is at least partially defined by the body. Both the upper and lower compartments are configured for holding items therein. The body defines a selectively closable lower compartment opening to allow access to the lower compartment. A partition is disposed between the upper and lower compartments. The partition defines a partition aperture to allow the transfer of items from the upper compartment to the lower compartment based on the size and shape of the items to sort the items between the upper and lower compartments.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,757B2, this patent's claim is carrying bag that includes a top portion having at least two side walls, a closable top, a closed bottom having an exterior bottom surface and an interior top compartment. The carrying bag also includes a detachable bottom portion having at least two side walls, a closed top having an exterior top surface, a closed bottom an interior bottom compartment and at least one access opening into the interior bottom compartment, and a compartmentalized structure having a plurality of individual compartments. A track system is included to attach the top portion to the detachable bottom portion, where the track system has a first component and a second component that smilingly engage one another.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,730B2, This patent's claim is a purse comprising a base formed of rigid transparent or translucent material, and a removable liner that is to be inserted in the base of the purse so as to be visible from outside the base, the removable liner being provided in a plurality of colors and textures and patterns and being made of a pliable, sturdy material, wherein the liner provides a creative, decorative design for the purse.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,225,829B2, this patent's claim is a transferable organizers provide stabilization and ease of location for objects carried in handbags and other bags. The organizers may be independently usable and freestanding and may be inserts inside an existing bag. At least some walls of the organizer are substantially rigid to protect the contents, make the organizer freestanding, or to conform to the dimensions of the existing bag. At least one wall of each organizer may be expandable by means of an expansion panel that can be stowed when expansion is not needed using a fastener, such as a zipper, snap, or magnetic connection. Expansion panels enable adjustment of the width, length, or height of the organizer. An eyeglass case includes an inwardly extending lip that curls over the lens of the glasses and is adjacent a rigid front section. A shoe organizer includes a cushion flap and a stabilizing flap that protects and positions the shoes.

The system described in this patent does not have the mechanisms and or functionality of the present invention and does not address the issues of the user nor has the objects of present invention. The present invention's mechanism is a completely customizable system with tethered compartments, which are not connected to each other or permanently connected to the handbag. The compartments of the present invention connect to the walls of the handbag and or an inner lining by a tethered mechanism. In addition to being tethered for ease of access, the compartments of the present invention are customizable and vary in sizes to serve the specific needs of the user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention to fulfill the handbag user needs for a system that provides easy access to articles in a handbag. Another primary object of the present invention is to provide the user of a handbag with a system of convenient and expedient interchangeability of certain common accessories from one handbag to the other. A further object of this invention is to provide the user with a handbag system that will allow the user to customize compartments to their specific needs. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent with the reference to the following invention description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present handbag invention, this invention is significantly different from the prior art and provides improved functionality compared to the present handbag inventions. The handbag in this invention has an inner shell that does not have any attached internal compartments 1. The handbag may have dividers to separate the inner shell into sections 2. This invention is of a handbag with removable and customizable tethered-compartments 3,4,5,6,12,13,14, which can easily be transferred and affixed to different handbags, when changing handbags.

The present invention is comprised of a handbag without any compartments. The handbag will have mechanisms attached to the inner perimeter of the handbag, within the lining, and or within the inner dividing unit inside the handbag 5. The purpose of these objects is to facilitate the temporary attachment of the tethered-compartment(s) in this invention. The tethered-compartment(2) are transportable compartments for the storage of articles in the handbag in an organized and compartmentalized manner, which can also be easily transferred to another handbag.

The compartments in this invention are the customizable, interchangeable and independent tethered compartments which we refer to herein as “tethered-compartment(s)” 3,4,5,6,12,13,14. The tethered-compartments have a mechanism 5, which is affixed to the opposite end of the cord attached to the tethered-compartment(s) 6. The purpose of this mechanism is to easily affix the cord holding the tethered-compartment(s) to the parameter or inner dividers of the handbag for ease of access to the tethered-compartment(s) and articles housed in the tethered-compartment(s). The fourth unit of this invention is a holding rack, the purpose of which is to hold the tethered-compartment(s) when not in use and to allow for easy access when needed to be placed in the desired handbag.

The units in this invention accomplish several objectives; by eliminating pre-configured compartments and or pockets that are in current preferred handbag inventions and replacing permanent compartments with removable and mobile tethered-compartment(s), this invention provides the user with the flexibility to configure and personalize the inside of the handbag with compartments that are customizable to better serve the individual needs of the user to organize articles in the handbag. Additionally, since the compartment(s) are tethered to a cord or other suitable mechanism (“tethered-compartment(s)”) FIG. 3, which is affixed to the parameter of the handbag, the articles are much easier to locate and retrieve.

The tethered-compartment(s) may be of various shapes, textures, colors, and sizes, to suit the design of the handbag and the user's needs 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14. The tethered-compartment(s) have a cord attached to the top of the compartment(s) with a mechanism at the opposite end of the cord or other suitable mechanism. The purpose of the mechanism at the opposite end of the cord is to affix the cord to the handbag's inner lining and or dividers for ease of access of the individual stand-alone compartments, and to assist the tethered-compartment in staying upward in the handbag.

It is very common for articles placed in the current preferred handbag inventions, to reside at the bottom of a handbag and not within the intended pre attached compartments of a handbag. Individuals will often toss the articles they need into the current preferred handbag inventions when changing handbags instead of placing them in the compartments, as determining what articles fit in the pre attached compartments of that specific handbag may take more planning and time than available when rushing out to work or for an appointment, for example. Also, since most of the times there are a plethora of little compartments attached to the current handbag invention that are not identified, it is easy to forget what compartment specific articles, such as car keys, were placed in when trying to locate the items in a rush.

The unit(s) of this invention improve the current preferred handbag inventions by providing the user the ability to choose the size and configuration and number of tethered-compartments for their specific needs FIG. 3. Also, the user has the option to have all of their articles which the user typically places in their handbag readily available in the tethered-compartment(s) which the user selected for the articles and or group of articles. Thus, all the individual has to do when changing handbags is to decide which tethered-compartment(s), that may already have the selected articles typically carried by the user, to affix to their handbag which will be used for that activity.

As an example, this invention allows the user to easily add the tethered-compartment which the user may have designated to contain hairbrushes, clips, and combs to the handbag 8, 9, 10, 11. Alternatively, the user can leave that tethered-compartment out of the handbag if the individual has their hair in a ponytail that day, for example. Also, an individual can choose the tethered-compartment containing all makeup or leave it behind and grab the smaller tethered-compartment that only contains the lipsticks and chap sticks, if the user would prefer a lighter handbag, for example.

The tethered-compartment(s) is sustained in the upright position, not only by the type of material used for the tethered-compartment(s), but also by the cord, or other suitable mechanism, affixed to the tethered-compartment and mechanism affixed to the parameter and or inner divider of the handbag. The tethered-compartment(s) could be made of materials such as Hessian burlap, plastic or fabric, rigid material, and leather type rigid semi-material, for example.

The tethered-compartment(s) has the mechanism at the opposite end of the cord, or other suitable mechanism, attached to the tethered-compartment 5, 6. The purpose of the mechanism is to temporarily affix the cord, holding the tethered-compartment(s), to the parameter of the handbag and or divider for ease of access. The mechanism contains a method to temporarily affix to the handbag in this invention, which is compatible with the design of the handbag in this invention, which the tethered-compartment(s) are being relocated to 5, 6. As a result, the mechanism may contain an affixing substance such as a magnet, metal, Velcro, hooks, fasteners, etc. as required by the design of the handbag per this invention, in order to facilitate the temporarily attachment of the mechanism to the handbag in this invention while in use.

The affixing mechanism 5, 6 may be decorative and may also contain an identifier in the design such as keys, cash ($), credit cards, cell phone, lipstick, etc., which will allow the individual to easily retrieve the desired tethered-compartment and its contents. The mechanism 6 can be made of plastic, metal, silver, or any other material appropriate for its intended use.

In addition to facilitating the temporary attachment of the tethered-compartment's cord 6, or other suitable mechanism, to the handbag, the purpose of the mechanism is also to provide quick access to the desired tethered-compartment(s) 5. The mechanism 5 affixed to the cord may also have a battery or rechargeable digital component, which would allow it to illuminate under dark conditions, for example. Additionally, the mechanism 5 may incorporate a computerized program which would facilitate synchronization with computerized applications for ease of downloading digital images to customize the mechanism for further ease of locating the articles. The computerized program withing the mechanism may also be used to facilitate locating the tethered-compartment(s) if misplaced, for example.

Another unit of this invention is a holding rack FIG. 4, the purpose of which is to hold the tethered-compartment(s) when not in use and to allow for easy access when needed to be placed in the handbag 7,8. The holding rack, which can be affixed to a wall, for example, will have a method of facilitating the temporary attachment of the mechanism, which is attached to the tethered-compartment(s) 5,8. The holding rack can be of various shapes, sizes, colors and designs. The holding rack can be made of wood, metal, plastic, iron, and or any other material suited for the purpose of its intended use.

The handbag, including the tethered-compartment(s) which are easily transferred between handbags, and the mechanism to temporarily attach the tethered-compartment(s) to the handbag's parameter as in this invention, provide an improved method for an individual to customize the internal compartments of a handbag to better suit their specific needs. Additionally, this invention allows for easier access and better organization of articles, which may otherwise be scattered at the bottom of the handbag or in one of the many affixed and unidentified pockets and thus difficult to locate. 

1. The first claim of the present invention is the handbag without any compartments. The handbag will have mechanisms attached to the inner perimeter of the handbag, within the lining, and or within the inner dividing unit inside the handbag. The purpose of these objects is to facilitate the temporary attachment of the tethered-compartment(s) in this invention. The second claim, which is a component of the first claim, is the “tethered-compartment(s)”. The tethered-compartments have a mechanism, which is affixed to the opposite end of the cord attached to the tethered-compartment(s). The purpose of this mechanism is to easily affix the cord holding the tethered-compartment(s) to the parameter or inner dividers of the handbag for ease of access to the tethered-compartment(s) and articles housed in the tethered-compartment(s). The third claim, which is a component of the first and second claims, is the holding rack as described herein. 